Hello everyone. I’m Peter Iglinski, and I’ll be teaching the Public Speaking Basics class during Rochester’s Pre-College Programs this summer.
I’ll tell you a little about myself. I’m a senior press officer at the University, and I teach public speaking part time at nearby Nazareth College. I also run a private coaching service in which I work with area professionals on their communication skills. And those are the experiences I rely on to help me guide my students.
As I see it, one of the best ways to see what it’s like to take classes at the University of Rochester is to take part in a pre-college program. The environment and class discussions are very much what college students experience; the only thing missing is the homework!
Last year, I had fourteen students from five countries, exposing me to bright students from multiple cultures in a single setting. It was both fun and enlightening for me, as well as for the whole class.
The thing that stood out the most for me last year was how a 14-year-old from Ohio, a 15-year-old from Greece, and a 17-year-old from China all fit in perfectly. Everyone worked together, unaware of any age or cultural differences. And I can safely say that the students weren’t the only ones getting an education in my course.
Public speaking is one of our biggest fears—maybe, even, our biggest—but it’s also one of the most important skills a person can have. My class is designed to help students get over that fear in order for them to get better at organizing their thoughts, wording their comments, and presenting their material. And, yes, I even work with students on how to deal with stress.
I had the pleasure last year of watching students in my class improve their public speaking skills in one short week. That means that they’re better able to present their ideas and take part in discussions—something that will help them in school and social settings. And there’s nothing more exciting for an instructor, especially one who teaches a public speaking course.
And I look forward to having that same pleasure this year.